Can't wait. Religion remains one of the central tensions in modern society - and whether or not it is benign or pernicious is a fundamental question that must be asked.

And I'm sure it will be worth a laugh or two!

this is my most anticipated film of 2008. as a hardcore atheist and a devoted bill maher fan, this is right up my alley. other atheist documentaries, like "the god who wasn't there" have been poorly produced, and thus less likely to be taken seriously. i'm hoping this will be to films what sam harris' "the end of faith" is to books.

BTW : my 2nd most anticipated film of 2008? "choke".

Since I agree 1000%, I am more excited to see the film.

I really do hope this film does well. Between this and Richard Dawkins's book "The God Delusion", atheism is finally starting to not be such a dirty word anymore, and it's about time. I want my children to grow up in a country where religious freedom doesn't just apply to religions.

Bill Maher's a smart and funny guy - it'll be sad to see him lose his life at the hands of a divine assassin wielding a blessed molotov cocktail.

That cat has Balls, with a capital 'B'.

Wow. Conan is squirming on that one. I can't wait to see the film, but thats going to be a tough pill to swallow for A LOT of people. You can judge that by the amount of applause or laughs at any of Bills jokes about religion.

Though this idea is unique (or not so unique), i'm not really sure wether he is trying to convince religious people that they are wrong and irrational, or convince athiest that religious people are morons. Nothing will come from this movie except angry people.

oh so maher and charles are now scholars of religion now. lecturing gullible idiots and taking their money. since when did theatres become a pulpit? all your books/movies will change nothing.


jews,gays and athiests will fail in their attempt to make this a world without religion. we outnumber you. the rest of us still love and respect God. for those who refuse, damnation and hellfire awaits.

While I agree that is a very important discourse, Bill Maher is going about it in absolutely the wrong way. Take Michael Moore as an example. His best film IMO is Sicko, a film where he asks innocent and noble questions about the American healthcare system without ruffling the feathers of any major demographic. While his previous efforts were divisive and confrontational, Sicko was a triumph because he decided to approach the issue in a more sympathetic and dispassionate way. Based on Maher's comments on Conan, he is clearly going for the throats of evangelicals here and is blinded by his own agenda. Evangelicals aren't praying to a "space god," nor do they think that they are actually drinking the blood of Christ. They are engaging in symbolic rituals designed to enforce the ideology of Christ, which, in its purest form, gives hope to millions and inspires countless charitable and selfless acts of kindness every year. Hey Bill, guess what? Christ's legacy on Earth is just as firmly grounded in real history as the existence of you, or I, or anybody else that has walked this Earth over the last 2000 years. I just hope that Bill doesn't flatly reject Christianity or any other religion as irrational. I hope he takes a balanced view, but he probably won't. I think his real beef lies with pure fundamentalism, and those that use religion to justify hateful and discriminatory acts. The bottom line is that the majority of church-going people do more positive and altruistic things than those without involvement in formal religious institutions (look it up-statistics don't lie). My parents are strong evangelicals, and while I don't personally practice, or believe in the supernatural components of Christianity, I do believe that it is an overwhelmingly positive force and that it gives millions of people hope, substance in their lives, and a moral code of ethics to live by. This greatly outweighs any negative effects of religious indoctrination, such as ignorance to other viewpoints or discrimination against "sinners." Most true Christians treat everyone with love and don't do hateful things to others. I hope Bill focuses his argument on how humans can distort belief systems to advance hateful agendas, and thus focus on the limitations of the human psyche. This movie will certainly fail if he decides to use it as a vehicle to slander and reject all religious beliefs. It simply cannot succeed if he uses it as an outlet to further his own agenda without presenting both sides of the argument and really trying to advance this discourse in an intellectual and empathic way.

Does that specific quote make me want to see the movie? Nope. You can't sit there and provide an understanding of (in this case Christianity) religion that is fit enough for a six year old, and then attack that. I believe it's known as a straw-man fallacy. There is no sense in asking for a simple religion, and the answers we will find are usually intended for adults. They are usually conveyed with symbolism to make them more palatable for the meek. And if the Goal is truth then we must be objective in our journey for it. And we must be ready for the answer no matter how grim. But, will I be seeing this movie for other reasons? Yes. The truth is that there is a large schism between, the Atheist, Agnostic, and the Faithful, that has to be understood, and reconciled. This society, and more specifically this country can benefit from hearing someone who is legitimately fed up with something that in theory is supposed to help people, but seems to be doing everything but. I think this movie should get more publicity; it's a film that is going ask questions that need to be asked, and that are ready to be answered. This man is standing up for what he believes in and this should be respected. I got my ticket.

You couldn't pay me to go see this.

Flame away.

Vic

@ Darren,

Yeah man, Maher's putting himself out there, that's for sure. He's serving up his message like a cold dish, and it angers many people. He talks about Christianity like most people talk about Tom Cruise and Scientology, and nobody's ever done that on Conan, that's for sure. I don't want to compare him to Lennon because Lennon was less confrontational (at least in his interviews), but you get the sense that Maher feels like a deer in the headlights, and moreover, he honestly doesn't grasp why there's a car there in the first place and will tell that to the car's face. I haven't felt that much existential tension in an interview since some of Kurt Cobain's or maybe Bill Hicks. Odd company.

@ Dan,

Conan was squirming, but at least Maher can say those things on Conan (maybe not next time though, I wonder?), because Carson would have shut him down. One thing Maher is really good at as far as one-on-ones is making smart people feel like they're on the same plane, so that when he suddenly drags out Elephant Room statements about religion, he's making them accountable for their beliefs on public record, sometimes against their wishes and better judgment. It can be rude to a point, but it's an interesting tactic.

@ Blake,

Whether you like Maher or not, he says a lot of things that people think about but won't say. He's also a good counter to American politicians who speak about their religion more and more as if it's indisputable fact. When we have presidential candidates like Mike Huckabee making commercials with crosses in the background (and it was meant to look like one, c'mon), I think a little yelling is in order from the other side, cue Maher/Religulous. And then there's that lady on the View who didn't believe in Romans and Greeks due to her religious views. People can debate evolution and the world's age (um, I guess), but the existence of great civilizations? That is ignorant and dangerous. Seeing it on mainstream TV is dumbfounding to me. Watch the Killing Fields for a little reminder of what can happen. I think both sides can lead to a slippery slope into out and out hate, and that's why the topic and this film is so intriguing to me.

I was watching this live when it happened and thought, "Oh, snap!"
Love Maher and can't wait to see this movie.

I've got to agree with Mike, this isn't going to help the siruation, it's just going to piss people off. And while I'm a Christian, I don't believe in adressing this topic as Ursala did. Nothings going to change unless people begin to honestly feel for each other. I never said agree, but more like "I may be wrong and so could you, but in the meantime, let's be buds." The key isn't being more aggressive about advancing your ideals, it's showing people through your actions why they would ever care what you have to say. I would be much more willing to discuss ideas with an atheist who respected my own than with an agressive, mean person who hates me out of sheer ignorance. Also, Maher's got it wrong. When you look at the way a Christian is SUPPOSED to behave according to the Bible, they should doing all they can to glorify God day-in and day-out, there shouldn't be any of this, Joe-schmoe on Saturday, goody goody, put 100 bucks in offering plate for all to see, Christian on Sunday. In fact, the people that Christ stood against were the religious leaders of his day. The problem isn't the church itself, it's the way that man has been running it.

I was interested in seeing this film until I saw that interview.

I hold my own beliefs and I love to hear what other people say on matters of faith just for the fact that all people can be wonderful and humorous and insightful in their own way.

But after watching that clip I feel that Maher's goal isnt to create discourse but rather aggravate a crowd of people just for the fun of it. His comment wasn't insightful it was arrogant and for that reason I couldnt really imagine myself sitting through his film.

I agree with Blake when he says "I hope Bill focuses his argument on how humans can distort belief systems to advance hateful agendas, and thus focus on the limitations of the human psyche." But unfortunately I don't see this happening.

Religion ain't all half bad once you drop the hocus pocus and square it with reality (the Buddhists have come closest so far). The real problem is that people are lazy and weak, and fear of death makes them crazy.

Come on...everyone seems to forget the right to freedom of speech. If presidential candidates or presidents themselves can publicly speak about their faith (belief in invisible friends and all the other ignorant crap they believe in) then one man (Bill Maher) or a large group of people (atheists) have absolutely every right to call them out on their BS. I for one am excited for this movie, regardless of its intentions; it's going to be hilarious. Pointing out that people who posses brains capable of critical thinking and rationality can actually push all that aside to believe in the absolutely absurd things that religion promotes and is based on is good for all of us. So what if it angers a particular group of people. I'm an atheist and religion and the people who keep it going and indoctrinate their innocent children with the malarkey anger me beyond anything else in this world. Go Bill Maher and anyone else who are out for the greater good of all mankind.

"jews,gays and athiests will fail in their attempt to make this a world without religion." - Ursula

I hope Ursula realizes Judaism is a religion...

Nobody has a problem when somebody of faith talking about religion God made us win the superbowl. though nobody talks about the ones that did not win. Religion is a multi billion dollar industry. I think atheism should do the same. If they teach creationism in schools then they should teach atheism also. The God Delusion and God is not great are best sellers and everyone is born an atheist. Just like racism it is taught by adults.
"We must question the story logic of having an all-knowing all-powerful God, who creates faulty Humans, and then blames them for his own mistakes."

-Gene Roddenberry, Creator of Star Trek (1921-1991).

I don't know!

Bill Maher's psuedo intellect aside and making allowance for his arrogant cutsie little witticisms as he would have you perceive them, there can only be one rational explanation for his cleverly disguised rant. Bill Maher is profoundly threatened by matters of faith and spiritual concerns.....as well he should be.

Bill Maher thinks he can explain the world with science because it's rational. If that's the case, then how did evolution begin? Answer that 64,000 question and he'll be right in the front pew on a Sunday, where he should be. Thank God MY God tells me to pray for everyone, because statements like he made above tear people away from God and I do not want to be in his shoes one day when he has to face his maker. It's one thing to not believe, but to encourage others to not believe will send you straight to hell.

A better documentary would be "Expelled," and a far more intelligent human being is behind that flick.

Wow. We will be held accountable to YOUR "God?" There is no fire. There is no god molded after King Triton of The Little Mermaid. It's really sad that some of you have been brainwashed to belive such stories ... and will continue to brainwash developing minds of children to believe this garbage. Maher does it in a way that WILL make people question their beliefs. No matter how much science, facts, dinosaurs, and earlier religions mirror the image of Christianity being just another myth, Christians want to argue and get defensive ... or just ignore the facts. When you present it in a comedic way ... one that mocks them for their childish, unfounded acceptance of a 2,000+ year-old story written by multiple men over multiple decades ... all while pointing out their selective morality and circular logic ... maybe semi-intelligent Christians will begin questioning where their better sense has been for their adult life. Then again, semi-intelligent Christian is a bit of an oxymoron when it comes to common sense. For those of you who haven't seen Zeitgeist: The Movie (and you can watch it free online), I strongly suggest it. I imagine the religious-in-denial crowd will go on living the delusion of their choice. Sam Harris said it best ... there is no indication that anything in the Bible was written by anyone over the intelligence of a 1st century human being. You could walk blindfolded into a bookstore and pick out anything that would have more benefit in today's world. Grow up.

Bill Maher Rules !!!

Finally a loud & public voice of reason in the USA

& I loved that he had the balls to make fun of Pope Benalick
-Ha Ha Ha ! dress wearing fish head -& Put on some boxers ok
no one wants to see yer old wrinkly junk !

LOOK -The RCC was created on a big fat lie & then they murdered millions to cover that up, the same way they cover up the millions of children that they have raped & abused.

In many other free countries- France, UK etc.. they have left the RCC behind forever ! & thats what we need to do as well

A belief in a loving God or center of it all (or whatever works for you)
has nothing to do with these scumbags who have lied, murdered & stolen billions upon billions over the centuries by using peoples fears & ignore to in slave them

GOOD RIDDANCE TO BAD RUBBISH !

Everyone needs to use rationality on the issue. If you put the time into actually thinking you will know the correct answer. I am not here to tell you what to believe, but the only rational thing to be in this world is an agnostic. You cannot prove that there is or that there is not a god.